Police Beat and Community Briefs for Sept. 27

Published: Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 12:24 a.m.

OCKLAWAHA — A man who allegedly tried to kidnap a woman walking with her two children on Friday is on the loose and deputies are asking for help in tracking him down.

After talking with the victim, officials have released a composite sketch of the woman’s reported attacker.

He’s described as a black man with a goatee, short hair, and approximately 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall.

At the time of the incident, officials say the man was wearing baggy blue jeans, a white short-sleeved shirt and black tennis shoes.

The victim told authorities

she went to visit a friend, but the woman was not there so she decided to return home.

While walking with her two children — ages 18 months and 3 who were strapped in a stroller — she said a man driving a dirty, dark blue-colored van that had dents, pulled up next to her and asked if she had a cigarette.

When she replied no, she said the man asked for her name. After she refused to give her name, the woman said the man exited the vehicle and told her she was going with him.

The woman said they struggled and she suffered a cut on her right cheek and her right side. She said the man punched her in the face.

The incident occurred in the 10000 block of Southeast

132nd Place.

Anyone with any information about this case can call the Sheriff’s Office at 732-9111, Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.

com.

Man charged with sex with a minor

Sheriff’s detectives arrested a 32-year-old man Friday afternoon after a 16-year-old girl told authorities that he had sex with her, according to officials.

Following an interview with detectives, Travis Herring was charged with four counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor and transported to the Marion County Jail. Herring denied having sex with the teenager.

The incident was reported to deputies by the teen’s mother on Sept. 23, officials say. Receiving the report, detectives interviewed

the girl, who told them that she and the man had sex on several occasions.

On Friday, deputies went to a motel on State Road 40 where they met Herring, and he accompanied them to the Sheriff’s Office for an interview.

Police: $14K stolen in home burglary

BELLEVIEW — A Belleview home was burglarized sometime on Friday and a large amount of cash was taken from the residence, according to officials.

The homeowner told deputies that when she arrived at her residence in 4400 block of Southeast 109th Place, she noticed her bedroom window was broken and the screen had been removed.

Searching the home, the woman said $14,000 in cash was missing.

Officials interviewed neighbors, but no one saw anything suspicious.

Anyone with any information about this case can call the Sheriff’s Office at 732-9111, Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.

com.

Cash, TV reportedly stolen from business

A northeast Ocala business was burglarized sometime either Thursday night to early Friday, and cash along with a large flat-screen television were stolen, according to officials.

Dave Koller, owner of Fins and Gils at 1009 N.E. 14th St., told officers that when he entered the business around 9 a.m., he noticed the 60-inch Vizio television that hangs on the wall was missing. Koller said the cash drawer was open and money had been removed.

Officials believe the suspect or suspects entered the business through the back door.

It’s not the first time the business has been burglarized.

On Sept. 17, the owner went to the business

at 10:40 a.m. and went inside and noticed cash had been removed from the register.

The 60-inch television that was hanging on the wall was tilted forward as if someone was trying to remove it.

Officials said the thief or thieves had entered the business through the back door in that burglary as well.

Anyone with any information about this case can call the Ocala Police Department at 369-7000, Crime Line at 369-7061, Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.

Area, state police set up checkpoint

With the assistance of the Florida Highway Patrol, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office conducted a DUI checkpoint in the 5900 block of South Magnolia Avenue Friday night.

Lt. Dennis Joiner, head of the Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit, said 440 cars that passed through the area. Police issued four traffic infraction citations and made one arrest for DUI, one arrest for driving while license is suspended or revoked, one arrest for possession of marijuana less than 20 grams and cited one driver for an open alcohol container.

The checkpoint began at 8 p.m. and ended at midnight.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Health Dept. reports spike in syphilis cases

The Marion County Health Department has announced that the number of confirmed cases of syphilis in Marion is up significantly. The department has confirmed 14 cases so far this year; there were just eight during all of 2008, according to a news release.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that has several stages. Symptoms appear within one to 12 weeks after contracting the disease. "The only way to know if a person has syphilis is a syphilis test."

Symptoms include sores and swollen lymph glands.

If untreated, an infected person can get syphilis in the brain, spinal cord, or heart that can lead to blindness, cripple, and miscarriage during pregnancy, the department warned. For more information, contact the department at 629-0137.

According to a news release from the department, the clinics, open to the public, will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1801 S.E. 32nd Ave.

The flu vaccine cost is $30 and the pneumonia vaccine is $45.

Participants with Medicare Part B coverage can receive the flu and/or pneumonia shot at no cost. Insurance providers and health maintenance organizations may cover costs of the vaccine (contact Maxim Health Systems at 291-4888 for provider acceptance or reimbursement information).

For more information, contact the Marion County Health Department at 629-0137 or www.findaflushot.com.

Scarecrow contest planned on square

The sixth annual Fall Festival and Scarecrow Contest will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Oct. 24 on the downtown square.

The event includes pumpkin patch, hay rides, DJ, entertainment, games and more.

Free pumpkin carving kits will be given to the first 100 kids.

The event benefits Boys & Girls Club of Marion County.

For more information, or to participate, call Dina DeBolt at 362-1993.

Bunco introductory course to be offered

Learn to Play Bunco, an introduction to the game by the Bunco Babes of Ocala, is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Gracie's Cougar Lounge, 3305 E. Silver Springs Blvd.

Admission is $10. There will be a ladies purse treasure hunt and door prizes.

Proceeds benefit Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, with the Marion County Chapter of the American Cancer Society.

For more information, visit www.buncobabesofocala.giving.officelive.com.

Annual poker run planned for Oct. 31

The fourth annual Impaired Driving Education and Victim Services Poker Run will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 31 at the Harley-Davidson of Ocala, 5331 N. Highway 441, Ocala.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. Fee is $20 per bike and $5 per passenger. Lunch will be provided. For more information, call Anita Kinsler at 438-2352.

<p class="bold allcaps">POLICE BEAT</p>
<p><b>Man sought in attempted kidnap</b></p><p>OCKLAWAHA  A man who allegedly tried to kidnap a woman walking with her two children on Friday is on the loose and deputies are asking for help in tracking him down.</p><p>After talking with the victim, officials have released a composite sketch of the woman’s reported attacker.</p><p>He’s described as a black man with a goatee, short hair, and approximately 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall.</p><p>At the time of the incident, officials say the man was wearing baggy blue jeans, a white short-sleeved shirt and black tennis shoes.</p><p>The victim told authorities</p><p>she went to visit a friend, but the woman was not there so she decided to return home.</p><p>While walking with her two children  ages 18 months and 3 who were strapped in a stroller  she said a man driving a dirty, dark blue-colored van that had dents, pulled up next to her and asked if she had a cigarette.</p><p>When she replied no, she said the man asked for her name. After she refused to give her name, the woman said the man exited the vehicle and told her she was going with him.</p><p>The woman said they struggled and she suffered a cut on her right cheek and her right side. She said the man punched her in the face.</p><p>The incident occurred in the 10000 block of Southeast</p><p>132nd Place.</p><p>Anyone with any information about this case can call the Sheriff’s Office at 732-9111, Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.</p><p>com.</p><p><b>Man charged with sex with a minor</b></p><p>Sheriff’s detectives arrested a 32-year-old man Friday afternoon after a 16-year-old girl told authorities that he had sex with her, according to officials.</p><p>Following an interview with detectives, Travis Herring was charged with four counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor and transported to the Marion County Jail. Herring denied having sex with the teenager.</p><p>The incident was reported to deputies by the teen’s mother on Sept. 23, officials say. Receiving the report, detectives interviewed</p><p>the girl, who told them that she and the man had sex on several occasions.</p><p>On Friday, deputies went to a motel on State Road 40 where they met Herring, and he accompanied them to the Sheriff’s Office for an interview.</p><p><b>Police: $14K stolen in home burglary</b></p><p>BELLEVIEW  A Belleview home was burglarized sometime on Friday and a large amount of cash was taken from the residence, according to officials.</p><p>The homeowner told deputies that when she arrived at her residence in 4400 block of Southeast 109th Place, she noticed her bedroom window was broken and the screen had been removed.</p><p>Searching the home, the woman said $14,000 in cash was missing.</p><p>Officials interviewed neighbors, but no one saw anything suspicious.</p><p>Anyone with any information about this case can call the Sheriff’s Office at 732-9111, Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.</p><p>com.</p><p><b>Cash, TV reportedly stolen from business</b></p><p>A northeast Ocala business was burglarized sometime either Thursday night to early Friday, and cash along with a large flat-screen television were stolen, according to officials.</p><p>Dave Koller, owner of Fins and Gils at 1009 N.E. 14th St., told officers that when he entered the business around 9 a.m., he noticed the 60-inch Vizio television that hangs on the wall was missing. Koller said the cash drawer was open and money had been removed.</p><p>Officials believe the suspect or suspects entered the business through the back door.</p><p>It’s not the first time the business has been burglarized.</p><p>On Sept. 17, the owner went to the business</p><p>at 10:40 a.m. and went inside and noticed cash had been removed from the register.</p><p>The 60-inch television that was hanging on the wall was tilted forward as if someone was trying to remove it.</p><p>Officials said the thief or thieves had entered the business through the back door in that burglary as well.</p><p>Anyone with any information about this case can call the Ocala Police Department at 369-7000, Crime Line at 369-7061, Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.</p><p><b>Area, state police set up checkpoint</b></p><p>With the assistance of the Florida Highway Patrol, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office conducted a DUI checkpoint in the 5900 block of South Magnolia Avenue Friday night.</p><p>Lt. Dennis Joiner, head of the Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit, said 440 cars that passed through the area. Police issued four traffic infraction citations and made one arrest for DUI, one arrest for driving while license is suspended or revoked, one arrest for possession of marijuana less than 20 grams and cited one driver for an open alcohol container.</p><p>The checkpoint began at 8 p.m. and ended at midnight.</p><h3>COMMUNITY BRIEFS</h3>
<p><b>Health Dept. reports spike in syphilis cases</b></p><p>The Marion County Health Department has announced that the number of confirmed cases of syphilis in Marion is up significantly. The department has confirmed 14 cases so far this year; there were just eight during all of 2008, according to a news release.</p><p>Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that has several stages. Symptoms appear within one to 12 weeks after contracting the disease. "The only way to know if a person has syphilis is a syphilis test."</p><p>Symptoms include sores and swollen lymph glands.</p><p>If untreated, an infected person can get syphilis in the brain, spinal cord, or heart that can lead to blindness, cripple, and miscarriage during pregnancy, the department warned. For more information, contact the department at 629-0137.</p><p><b>Flu immunization clinic to be held this week</b></p><p>The Marion County Health Department, in partnership with Maxim Health Systems, will host seasonal flu immunization clinics Monday through Oct. 9.</p><p>This is not the H1N1 flu vaccine.</p><p>According to a news release from the department, the clinics, open to the public, will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1801 S.E. 32nd Ave.</p><p>The flu vaccine cost is $30 and the pneumonia vaccine is $45.</p><p>Participants with Medicare Part B coverage can receive the flu and/or pneumonia shot at no cost. Insurance providers and health maintenance organizations may cover costs of the vaccine (contact Maxim Health Systems at 291-4888 for provider acceptance or reimbursement information).</p><p>For more information, contact the Marion County Health Department at 629-0137 or www.findaflushot.com.</p><p><b>Scarecrow contest planned on square</b></p><p>The sixth annual Fall Festival and Scarecrow Contest will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Oct. 24 on the downtown square.</p><p>The event includes pumpkin patch, hay rides, DJ, entertainment, games and more.</p><p>Free pumpkin carving kits will be given to the first 100 kids.</p><p>The event benefits Boys & Girls Club of Marion County.</p><p>For more information, or to participate, call Dina DeBolt at 362-1993.</p><p><b>Bunco introductory course to be offered</b></p><p>Learn to Play Bunco, an introduction to the game by the Bunco Babes of Ocala, is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Gracie's Cougar Lounge, 3305 E. Silver Springs Blvd.</p><p>Admission is $10. There will be a ladies purse treasure hunt and door prizes.</p><p>Proceeds benefit Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, with the Marion County Chapter of the American Cancer Society.</p><p>For more information, visit www.buncobabesofocala.giving.officelive.com.</p><p><b>Annual poker run planned for Oct. 31</b></p><p>The fourth annual Impaired Driving Education and Victim Services Poker Run will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 31 at the Harley-Davidson of Ocala, 5331 N. Highway 441, Ocala.</p><p>Registration begins at 9 a.m. Fee is $20 per bike and $5 per passenger. Lunch will be provided. For more information, call Anita Kinsler at 438-2352.</p>